Genetic-Based Diagnostic Tool Enhances Surgical Decision-Making in Pancreatic Cancer

Researchers from Nagoya University have introduced an innovative predictive model that significantly improves treatment planning for advanced pancreatic cancer patients. This new approach combines tumor marker measurements with genetic information, enabling a more accurate prediction of patient survival outcomes and better identification of candidates who may benefit from surgical intervention.

The study revealed that genetic variations influence tumor marker levels more profoundly than the extent of cancer severity. This means that traditional tumor marker assessments, which often rely solely on standard reference ranges or changes over time, can be misleading because they do not account for individual genetic differences.

The newly developed Tumor Marker Gene Model (TMGM) integrates genetic data—specifically variations in the FUT2 and FUT3 genes—which affect the production of tumor markers like DUPAN-2 and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9). By understanding how a patient's genetic profile influences these markers, clinicians can make more precise prognoses.

This model demonstrated approximately 15% higher accuracy in survival predictions compared to conventional methods, especially for tumors initially deemed inoperable. It allows for better assessment of whether tumors, which are difficult to remove surgically at first, could become suitable for surgery after chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Importantly, the findings highlight that tumor marker levels are more closely linked to genetic makeup than to the tumor's actual severity. This insight underscores the importance of integrating genetic testing into treatment decision protocols to prevent misinterpretation of tumor markers and to avoid unnecessary surgeries.

According to Prof. Haruyoshi Tanaka from Nagoya University Hospital, this model can help doctors avoid unnecessary procedures and identify patients who are most likely to benefit from surgery, thereby personalizing and optimizing treatment strategies in pancreatic cancer care.

The study was a collaboration between Nagoya University, Nagoya Medical Center, and Toyama University, and it has been published in the British Journal of Surgery. For further details, the full study is accessible through this link.

_source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-genetic-based-tool-surgery-good.html